Casino Marker: Everything You Need to Know About Casino Credits and Loans

In the past, if you were planning to spend some time at your favorite casino, you needed to come prepared with a generous amount of cash on hand. That can be incredibly inconvenient – especially in an age when most of us carry more cards than actual cash.

Thanks to the Illinois Gaming Board regulations, enjoying a day (or night!) of gaming is easy. With a casino marker (also called a “counter check”), casino guests can benefit from the convenience of a casino line of credit.

We’ve created a handy guide that explains the basics of casino markers, including:

• What are casino markers?
• How to get a casino marker
• Pros and cons of casino markers
• How and when to pay back a casino marker

With this helpful information, you can start planning your next visit to Casino Queen – and you can game however you’d like!

What Is a Casino Marker?

A casino marker is an interest-free, short-term line of credit provided by a casino, designed to provide a guest with a convenient source of funds to use for gaming. It’s important to know that every casino has its own rules and regulations for casino markers, and certain counties and/or states can vary as well.

So, how do you get a casino marker? Typically, a casino conducts a credit check for interested guests, similar to the checks conducted by credit card companies for prospective new cardholders. You’ll complete a credit application and provide basic information, and the casino will confirm that you meet their credit threshold. Depending on the casino, you may also need to establish a certain level of gaming credibility. Once your casino marker application is approved, you can request a marker for a specific dollar amount. The marker is printed and signed, and you can then redeem your marker credit for chips or cash.

East St. Louis, Illinois follows the regulations of the Illinois Gaming Board, which has lately instilled various expansions to the law and the availability of casino gambling.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Markers

Just like any form of credit, there are pros and cons to using casino markers. However, if you are gaming responsibly, you can look forward to plenty of perks.

The primary purpose of a casino marker is to offer convenience to casino guests. A marker is an ideal option for anyone that doesn’t want to carry large amounts of cash or write checks for large amounts. You can skip the multiple trips to the ATM, giving you more time for gaming. Additionally, casino markers are an excellent option for out-of-town guests.

Other benefits of casino markers include:

• An easy cash source with 0% interest
• The flexibility of having a 30-day window for payback
• Special offers are sometimes exclusively available for credit players
• Cashless pay

Although casino markers can be an extremely useful option for most gamers, there could be some drawbacks for certain individuals. It’s important to be aware that:

• Casino markers can put you at risk for irresponsible gaming if you have a gambling problem.
• Using a joint line of credit for casino markers could create an issue in the event of a divorce or child custody proceedings.
• If you fail to pay back casino markers within the required time, you can face significant fees or even civil charges.

How and When to Pay Back Your Credit

Every casino has a specific payback process, but the 30-day repayment requirement applies across the state of Illinois. Depending on the circumstances, you may have the option to set up installment payments.

In most cases, a casino will be willing to work with you to find a reasonable solution. We recommend having your plan for payment and a threshold for the amount you plan to borrow before you get your casino marker to keep yourself on track.

Game Your Way with DraftKings at Casino Queen

At our East St. Louis casino, we’re committed to providing guests with an experience that is equal parts enjoyable, convenient, and responsible. We offer casino markers for qualified guests with terms in accordance with state law.

If you’re interested in more information about how to take a marker, casino staff are happy to help. Connect with a team member via phone or in the casino for additional details today!